Special Action on Brahmin Marriages

Brahmin marriages start with the engagement ceremony or Nischaiyahtartham. The event of the engagement ceremony in the case of Brahmin Iyers takes place in the groom's residence. The event of the engagement ceremony in the case of Brahmin Iyengars happens in the bride's home. The Brahmin priest writes the 'lagna patrika' with the specification of the date, time and venue of the marriage. Sri sri caterers takes care of the full arrangement including priest, photo / video, catering service, etc...

Pandakkal, the planting to mark the commencement of a ceremony is the next event of the Brahmin's marriage. Sri sri caterers assist with the needed ritual decoration and priest to perform the ritual.

Varaverpu is the welcoming of the groom's family and relatives who arrives at the marriage venue or kalyanamandappam'. Decorations with kolam and flowers at the entrance, chandan, kumkum, rose water, sugar candy, garlands and a platter for the 'aarthi' are kept ready for the arrival of the groom. Nadaswaramis played and the aarthi is performed in his honour. Sri sri caterers take special care of everything from welcome decorations to aarthi.

The next ceremony is the Kappukettal & Vratham, the tying of the kappu or the Sacred yellow thread on the wrists to protective from evil spirits. The vratham is performed separately by the bride and the groom.

The sowing of Palikai Seeds is the next ceremony, where auspicious nine kinds of presoaked cereals are ceremoniously sown in these pots by sumangalis for a healthy life and progeny to the couple.

Janavasam also named as Maapillai azhaippuinvolves welcoming the groom to the marriage venue or Mandapam from the temple nearby where some rituals are followed. It is done as a procession in a decorated car along with Nadaswaram or Band. Members of both families sit opposite each other and read lagna patrika. Sri sri caterers takes care of the decoration of the reception, sweets, parupputhengai kodu, variety foods, dinner, garlands and the front welcome decoration with fruits and vegetables.

The next day starts with early morning preparations for the actual wedding ceremony. Our service from Sri sri caterers starts before the early morning and we prepare for the light tiffin and other small morning snacks for both the bride and groom's family.

The most important part of Hindu Brahmins marriage ceremony is the Kasi Yatra. It is the transition of the young bachelor to become a Grihasta or Sanyas. When he makes his way as a Sanyas to Kasi, completely clad with the attire, the bride's father intervenes and advises him of the advantages of married and makes him accept his daughter as his wife.
Next is the ceremony of Malai Mathalor Exchange of garlands. The respective maternal uncles of the bride and groom are lifts them to their shoulders and the garlands are exchanged thrice.

The Oonjal ceremony or the Swing is the next important part of Hindu Brahmins marriage. The couple is swung on a decorated swing and then the women folk smear their feet with a little milk, kumkum and chandan. The couple is given a mixture of bananas, milk and sugar. A traditional aarthi is taken.

The bride sits on her father's lap and is granted as a gift or Kanya Danam by him to the bridegroom. Darbha is placed on the bride's head and a yoke is placed over it. With the mantras chanted, the gold Mangal Sutra or Thali is placed on the aperture of the yoke.

Mangalya Dharanam is the prime ceremony of the marriage. At the auspicious hour, the tying of the Mangal Sutra or Thali takes place. The bridegroom ties "Tiru Mangalyam" around the neck of the bride while she is seated on the lap of her father. Three knots are tied, with the first by the bridegroom and other two by the groom's sister. Nadaswaram is played loud and fast, while Vedic hymn is recited. The bridegroom holds the hand of the bride and takes Saptha Padhi or seven steps around the holy fire. With each steps they take the vow to stay together for a complete married life.

The exchange of gifts between the two families known as Pala Dhanam is a ceremony that signifies the mutual understanding between the families.
The couple pays their homage to Agni with ghee and other auspicious ingredients during the Pradhana Homam ceremony.
The bridegroom lifts the bride's left toe to tread on a grindstone during the ceremony of Ammi Midhithal or Treading on the Grindstone and makes a symbolic representation of the solid rock foundation for their married life.

Arundhati parthal or looking at Dhruva Star is the next ceremony in which the groom shows the star to the bride
The bride's brother gives a handful of puffed rice grains to the bride and in turn to the groom to be fed to the holy fire in Laaja Homam.
With the Vedic hymns recited, the bride enters the new home of her in-laws or Griha Praveshamwith the fire from the Laaja Homam.
Set on the evening of the marriage day, Nalanguis the time to relax and play. These playful events include breaking papads over each other's head, taking the betel pack from each other's hand and rolling coconut.

The auspicious consummation of marriage at the prefixed auspicious time Shanthi Muhurtham
The third day of the marriage is the sendoff of both the Bride and Groom families. A special food arrangement named as Pallikai karaithal / Kattusadamis made that will last for two days.